"He is going to open his eyes.

He had better see but one of us at first." "Promise me, then, that you will not tell him." The first voice was a man's, the second a woman's, and both spoke in whispers.
"I will see how he seems," replied the man.
"No, no, promise me," persisted the other.
"Let her have her way," whispered a third voice, also a woman.
"Well, well, I promise, then," answered the man.

"Quick, go! He is coming out of it." There was a rustle of garments and I opened my eyes.

A fine looking man of perhaps sixty was bending over me, an expression of much benevolence mingled with great curiosity upon his features.

He was an utter stranger.